Floribunda rose plant named ‘Meilyzro’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of rose plant of the Floribunda Class is provided which abundantly forms attractive double geranium red blossoms in the form of a well-balanced spray. The petals are slightly glossy in appearance. The buds are conical in configuration and are borne on long stems. An erect growth habit is exhibited. The foliage is dark green and contrasts nicely with the geranium red blossoms. The plant is well suited for the production of cut floral sprays under greenhouse growing conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new variety of (Rosa hybrida) Floribunda rose plant was created byartificial pollination wherein two parents were crossed which previouslyhad been studied in the hope that they would contribute the desiredcharacteristics. The female parent (i.e., the seed parent) of the newvariety was the product of the pollination of the ‘Keinoumi’ variety(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,484) and the ‘Olijdum’ variety (non-patented inthe United States). The male parent (i.e., the pollen parent) of the newvariety was the ‘Meikister’ variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,267). Theparentage of the new variety can be summarized as follows:

(‘Keinoumi’×‘Olijdum’)×‘Meikister’.

The seeds resulting from the above pollination were sown and smallplants were obtained which were physically and biologically differentfrom each other. Selective study resulted in the identification of asingle plant of the new variety.

It was found that the new variety of Floribunda rose plant of thepresent invention possesses the following combination ofcharacteristics:

(a) forms conical buds on long stems in the form of a spray,

(b) forms in abundance attractive geranium red blossoms,

(c) exhibits an erect growth habit, and

(d) forms attractive semi-glossy dark green foliage.

The blossom petals are slightly glossy in appearance. Also, the sprayinflorescence is well balanced, and its geranium red colorationcontrasts nicely with the dark green foliage.

The new variety well meets the needs of the horticultural industry. Itis particularly well-suited for use in the production of cut floralsprays under greenhouse growing conditions.

The new variety has been found to undergo asexual propagation in Franceby a number of routes, including budding, grafting, and cuttage. Asexualpropagation by the above-mentioned methods as performed in France hasshown that the characteristics of the new variety are strictlytransmissible from one generation to another.

The new variety has been named the ‘Meilyzro’ variety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph shows as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible to make the same, in a color illustration of this character,typical specimens of the plant parts of the new variety. The rose plantsof the new variety were two years of age were observed during Marchwhile growing on Rosa indica understock in greenhouses at LeCannet desMaures, Var, France.

FIG. 1—illustrates a specimen of a young shoot;

FIG. 2—illustrates a specimen of a group of floral buds before theopening of the sepals;

FIG. 3—illustrates a specimen of a floral bud at the opening of thesepals;

FIG. 4—illustrates a specimen of a floral bud at the opening of thepetals;

FIG. 5—illustrates a specimen of a flower during the course of opening;

FIG. 6—illustrates a specimen of an open flower — plan view — obverse;

FIG. 7—illustrates a specimen of an open flower — plan view — reverse;

FIG. 8—illustrates a specimen of a fully open flower — plan view —obverse;

FIG. 9—illustrates a specimen of a fully open flower — plan view —reverse;

FIG. 10—illustrates a specimen of a floral receptacle showing thearrangement of the stamens and pistils;

FIG. 11—illustrates a specimen of a floral receptacle showing thearrangement of the pistils (stamens removed);

FIG. 12—illustrates a specimen of a flowering stem;

FIG. 13—illustrates a specimen of a main branch;

FIG. 14—illustrates a specimen of a leaf with three leaflets — plan view— upper surface;

FIG. 15—illustrates a specimen of a leaf with five leaflets — plan view— under surface;

FIG. 16 —illustrates a specimen of a leaf with seven leaflets — planview — upper surface; and

FIG. 17—illustrates a specimen multiply-branched stem capable of bearinga floral spray.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The chart used in the identification of the colors is that of The RoyalHorticultural Society (R.H.S. Colour Chart). When more common colorterms are utilized they are to be accorded customary dictionarysignificance. The description is based on two year-old specimens of thenew variety which were observed during March while budded on Rosa indicaunderstock and growing in greenhouses at LeCannet des Maures, Var,France. Dimensions in centimeters are provided at the bottom of thephotograph. The new variety of the present invention has not been testedto date while growing outdoors.

Class: Floribunda

Plant:

Height.—A plant pruned to a height of 85 cm. commonly produces floralstems having a length of approximately 50 to 70 cm.

Habit.—Erect.

Branches:

Color.—Young stems: Near Green Group 138A. Adult wood: Near Green Group137B.

Thorns.—Size: Medium (as illustrated). Quantity: Medium (asillustrated). Configuration: Lightly concave with a narrow base on theunder surface. Color: Greyed-Red Group 178B on young stems andGreyed-Orange Group 175D on adult wood.

Leaves:

Petioles.—Somewhat glandular on the upper surface.

Stipules.—Adnate, pectinate, and narrow.

Leaflets.—Number: 3, 5 (most often), and 7. Size: Approximately 12 cm inlength and approximately 9 cm in width. Shape: Elliptic. Texture:Moderately firm. Serration: Regular. General appearance: Dense, darkgreen, and semi-glossy. Color (young foliage): Upper surface: GreenGroup 139A. Young shoots and foliage include strong anthocyanincoloration. Under surface: Greyed-Green Group 191A. Color (adultfoliage): Upper surface: Near Green Group 137A. Under surface: NearYellow-Green Group 191A.

Inflorescence:

Number of flowers.—Commonly approximately 6 to 15 per stem.

Peduncle.—Light green, Yellow-Green Group 143A, in coloration, with manyprickles and the length is approximately 5 to 8 cm. on average.

Sepals.—Upper surface: Tomentose, Green Group 138A in coloration, andcommonly with two small extensions on one of the five sepals. Undersurface: Somewhat glandular.

Buds.—Shape: Conical. Length: Approximately 3 cm. on average. Size:Medium for class. Color upon opening: Upper surface: Near Red Group 45B,and on the external petals there is a small veinlet which is borderedwith white on up to approximately two-thirds of the petals. Undersurface: Near Red Group 46A.

Flower.—Form: Flattened. Diameter: Approximately 6 cm. on average. Color(when opening begins): Upper surface: Near Red Group 45B, and on theexternal petals there is a small veinlet bordered with white on up toapproximately two-thirds of the petals. Under surface: Near Red Group46A. Color (when blooming): Upper surface: Near Red Group 44A, and onthe external petals there is a small veinlet bordered with white on upto approximately two-thirds of the petals. Under surface: Near Red Group45A. Color (at end of opening): Upper surface: Near Red Group 44B, andon the external petals there is a small veinlet bordered with white onup to approximately two-thirds of the petals. Under surface: Near RedGroup 46B. Fragrance: None. Petal Number: Approximately 35 on average.Petal configuration: With a reflexed tip and a rounded base asillustrated. Petal drop: Very good, the petals commonly detach cleanly.Anthers: Tan in coloration. Stamen number: Approximately 57 on average.Filaments: Pinkish in coloration. Pistil number: Approximately 128 onaverage. Stigmas: Greenish light yellow in coloration. Styles: Whitishin coloration. Receptacle: Light green in coloration, and inlongitudinal section in the shape of a pitcher. Hips: Substantiallyround hips are formed. Lasting quality: Approximately 12 to 14 days onthe plant, and approximately 10 to 12 days when cut and placed in avase.

Development

Vegetation.—Very strong.

Blooming.—Very abundant.

Resistance to diseases.—Very good.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Floribunda rose plantcharacterized by the following combination of characteristics: (a) formsconical buds on long stems in the form of a spray, (b) forms inabundance attractive geranium red blossoms, (c) exhibits an erect growthhabit, and (d) forms attractive semi-glossy dark green foliage;substantially as herein shown and described.